National lrthoqrapmins compar



(No Model.)

0. T. HAM. LANTERN;

No. 511,421. Patented Dec. 26, 1893.

W] TNESSES:

m2 NATIONAL LrmoeRAFmNs nOMPANY, wAsmnemn. u. c.

UMTED Srnirns PATENT Futon.

CHARLES T. HAM, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE C. T. HAM MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

LANTERN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 511,421, dated Decernber 26, 1893.

Application filed August 24, 1891. Serial No. 403,614. (No model.)

[0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES T. HAM, of the city of Rochester, county of Monroe, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lanterns; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to the reference-numerals marked thereon.

My present invention has for its, objects to provlde an improved lantern of the class known as railroad lanterns, that shall besimple and cheap in construction, and strong enough to withstand the rough usage to which lanterns of this class are subjected, some of the features being applicable however, to other forms, and to these ends, it consists in certain novelties of construction and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter fully described, and the novel features pointed out in the claim at the end of this specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1, is a front view of a lantern, constructed in accordance with my invention, the top being shown swung up; Fig. 2, a vertical section of the same, with the top down; Fig.3, a View of one of the frame standards or ribs; Fig. 4, a horizontal section on the line w 00, of Fig. 1; Fig. 5, aperspective view of one of the bail ears; Fig. 6, a cross section on the line y y, of Fig. 1.

Similar reference numerals denote similar parts.

The lantern frame consists of the usual base or oil pot 1, the collar or ring 2, to which said base is removably fastened, the vertical ribs 3, (the construction of which forms one of the subjects matter of my present invention,) secured to ring 2, and at the upper ends to a ring 4, and the top section or dome 5, hinged to ring 4, at one side, and secured removably at the other by a catch 6. The globe 7, is secured in the frame as usual by the spring pressed collar 8, which latter holds it down on ring 2,at the base, when the dome is swung over and secured' In Fig. 3, is shown a view of one of the ribs 3, as it comes to the workman that assembles, the central part of the frame or cage, before it is finished, and it will be seen to consist of Q a single piece of ordinary wire, doubled over upon itself, with the two parts or legs shaped alike. At the central bend is provided an eye 9, for receiving the top wire ring 1, and

' in the legs are seen circular recesses 10, 10,

which when the legs are brought together, hold in position the central guard ring 11, of the lantern. When the rings 4 and 11, have been placed between the parts of the ribsin 6o proper position, said parts are broughtto gether and soldered, and the lower ends are passed through the perforations in ring 2, bent down and secured thereto, by soldering, as shown in Fig. 3. The lantern frames con- 55 structed in this manner, are not only made easily, but are much lighter than those employing sheet metal or single wire ribs, and are considerably stronger, the ribs being approximately elliptical in cross section, as in Fig. 6, and being bowed outward, are enabled to stand the rough usage, to which these lanterns are subjected, without damage. The parts including the rings 4: and 11, and the ribs 3, being made by machinery, and adapted to each other, can be assembled, and the frame completed by unskilled workmen, thereby materially cheapening the cost of the lanterns.

It is very desirable that some means should be provided, for maintaining the bailor handle of a lantern in approximately vertical position, when deposited on the ground, so that the user will not have to stoop to grasp the bail, and as a means for accomplishing this important result, I preferably employ a spring bail 15, (orone having elastic depending portions,) provided with the usualloops in the ends, engaging the ears 16, attached to the upper part of the lantern frame, said ears be- 0 ing formed of a single piece of wire doubled and formed with the eye17, while the two parallel legs extend. downward from the eye,

and upward, so as to clear the lower edge of the top section of the lantern, and the ends 5 are passed on opposite side of one of the vertical ribs, 3,'and bent around and soldered to the ring 4, making a secure joint. The top portions of the eyes 17, are inclined at an angle to the vertical portion, (in the present instance outward,) and as the legs of the bail spring outward, itwill be seen that the loops thereon, will be forced outward, and the shoulders formed by the wires constituting the sides of the eyes, will serve to maintain the bail in vertical position, when it is in approximately this position, though it can readily be turned down when desired. It is evident that the eyes 17, could be bent inward, and the bail ends be made to springinward if deerred, when the same result could be produced, and also that one of the eyes could be bent as shown, and the other left plain, butI prefer the arrangement of parts as shown. These cars can be readily made by machinery, at slight cost, and while especially applicable to lanterns of this general description, could be applied to any style or to other articles employing bails.

cI-IARLEs 'r. HAM.

\Vitnesses:

JOHN W. ORPHY, ARTHUR T. LUDLAM. 

